Royal Free Hospital boss David Sloman is knighted among New Year's honours

Sir David Sloman

Published: 5 January, 2017
By TOM FOOT

THE top boss of the Royal Free Hospital and the artistic director of the Tricycle Theatre were among those collecting awards in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

David Sloman, chief executive of the hospital in Pond Street, Hampstead, was knighted. He said that he had been “incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to spend my life doing something I love”.

The 55-year-old, who has run the Royal Free since 2009, has also managed Haringey Primary Care Trust and the Whittington Hospital in separate stints during a long-running career in NHS management.

Sir David was chosen by the Department of Health last year to head a controversial project to transform North Central London NHS services.

He added: “I have worked alongside some of the most talented and devoted people who make our NHS the best health service in the world. This honour is recognition of all the hard work and commitment I see every single day in our hospitals.”

Indhu Rubasingham, who was awarded an MBE, became the first female Asian director of the celebrated Tricycle Theatre, in Kilburn High Road, when she took over from Nicolas Kent in 2012.

She was joined on the list by famous faces from stage and music. Ray Davies, the Kinks frontman who lives in Highgate village, was made a knight, while there were OBEs for actors Tim Pigott-Smith of Hampstead and Helen McCrory, who lives in Tufnell Park.

Marcia Feldman, who has helped look after frail and elderly people in Hampstead and Golders Green for more than 40 years, was awarded the British Empire Medal for her work with Jewish Care.

Nick Lowles, from Bloomsbury-based charity Hope Not Hate, got an MBE for services to “community cohesion and combating extremism”, while Professor Jim Cuthbert Smith, from the new Francis Crick Institute in Somers Town, was knighted.

Comments

I think that one day Sir David should try to see how the A&E works in Royal Free hospital from patients perspective. Extremly long time to wait, rude receptionists and unhelpfull security. Complete lack of the understanding of the patients, seating for 4-5 hours there to get any help.